Methuen PD: Barricaded subject found hiding in piece of furniture

METHUEN, Mass. — A standoff in Methuen has ended peacefully.

Methuen Police Chief Joe Solomon says after 6 a.m. they were called to a home on College Lane. Police were trying to serve arrest warrants on Steven O'Neil when he ran up to the attic of his home and barricaded himself.

The house was secured and evacuated. Police tried to negotiate with the man, but it did not work.

SWAT teams were called to the scene. They went into the house and eventually found the suspect hiding in an end table. He was taken into custody.

Solomon says SWAT officials found a shotgun, several other weapons and a significant amount of merchandise in the home. Police are now working to obtain a search warrant to get the guns and items.

Family members on scene told police the suspect has recent mental health issues. Solomon says he has been taken to the police station and will be evaluated.

No one was injured during this incident.

Police went to the home on Tuesday to arrest the man on several warrants, including, shoplifting, possession of gun/drugs, probation violation, and breaking and entering. He was not home. Police say O'Neil also stole a dog from a woman's parked car in Nashua over the weekend. The woman was able to track down the suspect and she drove to his house. She called police after seeing her dog and police went into the home and got the dog back. 

During the search, Methuen Police removed an arsenal from O'Neil's home as well as a large amount of power tools believed to be stolen.

Cox Media Group